Why are you here??

Published 24th March

Over the years we at the Britain-Australia Society have noticed the membership profile change.

Once upon a time, in the days when we were the “Australia Club” there was a distinct “High Society” note. Membership then became broader – there was an influx of eager “World Travellers” in the 80s and 90s while (happily) the establishment core of octogenarian academics, wise old diplomats and retired colonels remained.

Today we are grateful that our elder statesmen remain as a very supportive scaffold for the latest influx from Australia to the United Kingdom.

A typical member who has joined us in the past decade is in their 20s or 30s, works for a major international law or accounting firm or is an independent consultant. They plan to stay here for a couple of years, maybe longer, but often end up staying for far longer. Some have no immediate plans to return to Australia. Of course all have vegemite in their veins and Australia stamped across their hearts!

The landscape of Australians in the UK has transformed from bar workers and back-packers to professionals. Many British companies now have Australians heading them or on the Board. A constellation of well-known Australian names have made Britain their home for some or all of their time, think Kylie Minogue, Barry Humphries, Geoffrey Robertson, Kathy Lette, Sir Lynton Crosby, Germaine Greer, Clive James, Nick Cave, John Pilger…

Of course this is not to deny the many longstanding members of the Britain-Australia Society who have been loyal for decades and the significant numbers of native Brits who are with us because of their deep involvement or interest in Australia – and those members who, far from being accountants or lawyers, are instead making their mark in the arts, commerce or sport.

It is interesting to see an external perspective on reasons why Australians come specifically to the UK. The Australian Times has just published an article on this very subject. Here is a link